| Chidimma Adetshina | |
| Birth Name: | Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina |
| Miss South Africa 2024 (top 11) | |
| Birth Place: | South Africa |
| Height: | 1.95m |
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina is a South African model who was competing in Miss South Africa 2024, reaching the top 11 finalists, and was called to be removed from the contest. It was claimed that she was unable to participate due to her mixed heritage.
Chidimma Vanessa Onwe Adetshina was born in 2001 in Soweto at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital[1] to a Nigerian father,[2] and a Mozambican mother,[3] though some sources claim that her mother is allegedly a Zulu South African.[4] Her father is of Igbo descent while her mother is a Mozambican who had became a naturalized citizen of South Africa.[5] Upon confusion of her birthplace and nationality, she cleared the case by providing proof to the authorities. She is currently studying international relations at the University of Pretoria. Her participation in the Miss South Africa pageant has been surrounded by controversy, with some calling for her removal due to her citizenship and eligibility concerns.[6] [7] [8]
Adetshina was competing in Miss South Africa 2024, [9] [10] reaching the top 11 finalists. When the investigation where conducted by The Department of Home affairs about the background of her mothers citizenship, She withdrawn herself from the pageant, citing a fear about her safety and well-being. After few days after the launch of Adetshina's mother background investigation, the Department of Home Affairs found preliminary evidence of fraud and Identity theft committed by Adetshina's mother to obtain South African citizenship in 2001. [11] [12] [13] It was claimed that she was unable participate in the contest due to her mixed heritage.[14]
Adetshina's citizenship of South Africa and Nigeria raised questions about her eligibility to represent South Africa in the Miss South Africa pageant. The South African Department of Home Affairs launched an investigation following a request from the pageant organizers to verify Adetshina's citizenship. The probe revealed prima facie evidence suggesting that her mother may have stolen the identity of a South African woman 23 years ago to secure citizenship for Adetshina. Home Affairs plans to press criminal charges against all implicated parties once the investigation is complete.[15] [16] [17]
She received support from many individuals who viewed her as an embodiment of South Africa's diverse population. Prominent figures and organizations publicly defended her, advocating for an end to xenophobic sentiments and promoting inclusivity for all South Africans, including the EFF. A further controversy arose when a video surfaced online showing Adetshina celebrating her progress in the pageant with her Nigerian family members.[18] [19]
Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber confirmed that the department will investigate the nationality of Adetshina only after her family requested it.[20]
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a political party, expressed its support for Adetshina and accused the Miss South Africa organization of being xenophobic and discriminatory against black Africans.[21] [22] The African National Congress (ANC) called for clarity on Adetshina's citizenship status and the pageant's eligibility criteria.[23] [24] [25]
The controversy sparked a wider debate about citizenship, identity, and representation in South Africa, with some arguing that Adetshina's citizenship does not disqualify her from representing the country, while others believed that she should not be allowed to compete due to her Nigerian heritage.[26] [27] [28]
The Department of Home Affairs resolved the dispute over Adetshina's nationality.[29] [30] In an interview with Clement Manyathela on 702 news, the home Affairs Deputy minister Njabulo Nzuza sought to clarify the citizenship status of Adetshina,[31] addressing the controversy emphasizing that he was bound by confidentiality and couldn't disclose sensitive information about any individual, including Adetshina.[32] Nevertheless, he proceeded to explain the fundamentals of citizenship, as outlined in the Citizenship Act, which can be obtained through birth, heritage, or naturalization. He elaborated that citizenship is typically acquired through either one's place of birth or lineage and further explained that when one is born in a country, they are considered a citizen by soil, and if they inherit it through their parents, it's by blood.[33] [34]
Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, was criticised for his xenophobic and afrophobic comments when he congratulated a European descent, Tatjana Smith, over an African descent Adetshina. Some sources claim the minister said that Adetshina could not be accepted as a South African because she has Nigerian names even if she was born in the country, which contradicts the Citizenship Act Laws of South Africa. He further stated that there is no way a Nigerian and Mozambican descent could represent South Africa in Miss South Africa contest, despite the fact that Bryoni Govender,[35] an Indian descent, was accepted as Miss Universe South Africa 2023 despite her mixed descence. After two days, the minister said that he would investigate Adetshina's citizenship to see if she is truly a South African. He added that he would apologise to Adetshina if he found out from his investigation that she is actually a South African. This allegedly confused some South Africans as well as neighbouring countries, and others wondered whether the minister is fit to be given the office of arts due to his comments and opinions towards Adetshina.[36]
The President of the Nigerian Citizens Association South Africa (NICASA) issued a statement expressing support for Adetshina, praising her as a true ambassador of peace. He emphasized that her involvement in the pageant played a significant role in fostering unity and promoting a message of tolerance, countering racism, discrimination and hatred. By endorsing Adetshina, the NICASA President underscored the importance of embracing diversity and encouraging inclusivity, highlighting the potential for her participation to positively impact societal attitudes and relationships between communities.
The controversy further drew commentary from influential figures such as Prince Kaybee, Pearl Thusi,[37] [38] and Julius Malema, who shared their opinions on social media, that stirred the debate.[39] [40] [41]
In August 2024, Adetshina was invited and accepted the invitation to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. The competition is organized by the Miss Nigeria organisation.[42] [43]
Adetshina was previously married, and divorced in February. She has one child.